On the law S ( S ( x , y ), T ( x , y )) = S ( x , y ) of fuzzy logic

Motivated by some functional models arising in fuzzy logic, when classical boolean relations between sets are generalized, we study the functional equation S(S(x, y), T(x, y)) = S(x, y), where S is a continuous t-conorm and T is a continuous t-norm. Some interesting methods for solving this type of equations are introduced.     

Studies on the synthesis of pentacyclic strychnos indole alkaloids. photocyclization of n-chloroacetyl-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexahydro-1,5-methanoazocino[4,3-b]indole derivatives

Photocyclization of 2-chloroacetyl-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexahydro-1, 5-methanoazocino[4,3-b]indole ($\text{5}$) takes place at the indole 4-position to give a 1 ,2 ,3 ,4 , 5 ,6-hexahydro-2 ,11-ethano-1 ,5-methanoazocino [4 , 3-6] indole system. Consequently, the method appears to be unsuitable for constructing the pyrrolidine ring of pentacyclic Strychnos indole alkaloids.     

Nucleation mechanisms and speciation of metal oxide clusters

The self-assembly mechanisms of polyoxometalates (POMs) are still a matter of discussion owing to the difficult task of identifying all the chemical species and reactions involved. We present a new computational methodology that identifies the reaction mechanism for the formation of metal-oxide clusters and provides a speciation model from first-principles and in an automated manner. As a first example, we apply our method to the formation of octamolybdate. In our model, we include variables such as pH, temperature and ionic force because they have a determining effect on driving the reaction to a specific product. Making use of graphs, we set up and solved 2.8 × 10⁵ multi-species chemical equilibrium (MSCE) non-linear equations and found which set of reactions fitted best with the experimental data available. The agreement between computed and experimental speciation diagrams is excellent. Furthermore, we discovered a strong linear dependence between DFT and empirical formation constants, which opens the door for a systematic rescaling.

The self-assembly mechanisms of polyoxometalates (POMs) are still a matter of discussion owing to the difficult task of identifying all the chemical species and reactions involved. The POMSimulator deals with that complexity in an automated manner.     

Protein secondary structure and stability determined by combining exoproteolysis and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

In the post-genomic era, several projects focused on the massive experimental resolution of the three-dimensional structures of all the proteins of different organisms have been initiated. Simultaneously, significant progress has been made in the ab initio prediction of protein three-dimensional structure. One of the keys to the success of such a prediction is the use of local information (i.e. secondary structure). Here we describe a new limited proteolysis methodology, based on the use of unspecific exoproteases coupled with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), to map quickly secondary structure elements of a protein from both ends, the N- and C-termini. We show that the proteolytic patterns (mass spectra series) obtained can be interpreted in the light of the conformation and local stability of the analyzed proteins, a direct correlation being observed between the predicted and the experimentally derived protein secondary structure. Further, this methodology can be easily applied to check rapidly the folding state of a protein and characterize mutational effects on protein conformation and stability. Moreover, given global stability information, this methodology allows one to locate the protein regions of increased or decreased conformational stability. All of this can be done with a small fraction of the amount of protein required by most of the other methods for conformational analysis. Thus limited exoproteolysis, together with MALDI-TOF MS, can be a useful tool to achieve quickly the elucidation of protein structure and stability.     

Resolution of global signals using ratio differential pulse polarograms: Determination of p-nitroaniline and p-nitrotoluene in their mixture

Ratio differential pulse polarograms obtained by dividing the multianalyte and single analyte signals are proposed as a tool for resolution of global signals and quantification of the analytes from a qualitatively known mixture by differential pulse polarography (DPP) and related electroanalytical techniques. The influences of shape and position of the resolving function (DP polarograms of individual analyte) on the efficiency of resolution are discussed on simulated and experimental results. The method is applied for the determination of p-nitroaniline (NA) and p-nitrotoluene (NT) from their mixture in N,N′-dimethylformamide solutions with 0.1 M tetrabutylammonium iodide as supporting electrolyte, using an external calibration diagram and internal standard addition methods. NA and NT give one-electron DP polarographic peaks with 93 mV of peak separation and, therefore, show significant overlapping which depends on the concentration ratio of NA and NT in the mixture. The method is especially suitable for quantification of one analyte in the presence of a large excess of another analyte, because by division the component in excess is removed and the pseudo-ratio DPP of the minor component is clearly revealed in a way which is not possible by deconvolution using polynomial division or deconvolution by Fourier transforms.     

Interdependence of redox state,hydrogen bonding,anion recognition and charge partition in crystals of (EDT-TTF-CONHMe)6 [Re6Se8(CN)6] (CH3CN)2(CH2Cl2)2

Neutral pi-conjugated molecules and their radical cations co-exist in [(EDT-TTF-CONHMe+*)4(EDT-TTF-CONHMe0)2] [Re6Se8(CN)6]4- (CH3CN)2(CH2Cl2)2 whose crystal structure reveals that, upon one-electron oxidation, an activation of the N-H and C-H hydrogen bond donor ability is coupled to a deactivation of the hydrogen bond acceptor character of the carbonyl oxygen atom: this is expressed in the supramolecular hydrogen bond pattern and, ultimately, into charge localisation and partition in the solid state.     

Using second-order calibration to identify and quantify aromatic sulfonates in water by high-performance liquid chromatography in the presence of coeluting interferences

We used the Generalized Rank Annihilation Method (GRAM), a second-order calibration method, to quantify aromatic sulfonates in water with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) when interferences coeluted with the analytes of interest. With GRAM, we can quantify in only two chromatographic analyses, one for a calibration sample and one for the unknown sample. The calculated concentrations were not statistically different to those obtained when the chromatographic separation of the unknown sample was modified in order to completely separate the analyte from the interferences before univariate calibration. With GRAM, the concentrations are determined much more quickly because a complete resolution is not required.     

Time shift correction in second-order liquid chromatographic data with iterative target transformation factor analysis

When the generalized rank annihilation method (GRAM) is applied to liquid chromatographic data with diode-array detection, an important problem is the time shift of the peak of the analyte in the test sample. This problem leads to erroneous predictions. This time shift can be corrected if a time window is selected so that the chromatographic profile of the analyte in the test sample is trilinear with the peak of the analyte in the calibration sample. In this paper we present a new method to determine when this condition is met. This method is based on the curve resolution with iterative target transformation factor analysis (ITTFA). The calibration and test matrices are independently decomposed into profiles and spectra, and aligned before GRAM is applied. Here we study two situations: first, when the calibration matrix has one analyte and second, when it has two analytes. When the calibration matrix has two analytes, we selectively determine the time window for the analyte to be quantified. There were considerably fewer prediction errors after correction.     

Quantitative vs. qualitative approaches to the electronic structure of solids

The usefulness of qualitative and quantitative theoretical approaches in solid state chemistry is discussed by considering three different types of problems: (a) the distribution of boron and carbon atoms in MB₂C₂ (M=Ca, La, etc.) phases, (b) the band structure and Fermi surface of low-dimensional transition metal oxides and bronzes, and (c) the correlation between the crystal and electronic structure of the ternary nitride Ca₂AuN.     

Superstructures of donor packing arrangements in a series of molecular charge transfer salts

Three conducting BEDT-TTF charge-transfer salts with tris(oxalato)metallate anions have unit cells containing both[small alpha] and [small beta][double prime] donor packing motifs.